HUMAN TRAFFICKING CAMPAIGN

London Police Service launches Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign

LONDON, ON (February 22, 2022) – In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on February 22, 2022, the London Police Service (LPS) is launching a campaign, using the hashtag #KnowHumanTrafficking, to help raise awareness and educate the community – and particularly young girls – on the risks and warning signs associated with human trafficking. 

Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, or holding victims to exploit them or to help someone else exploit them, generally for sexual purposes. Traffickers get their victims to comply through different forms of coercion. Too often, victims of this crime are young women, and in approximately 25% of the cases, they are girls under the age of 18. 

“The London Police Service Human Trafficking Unit is committed to supporting survivors of human trafficking and bringing the criminals involved to justice. What is equally important is our commitment to educating people so that we can prevent this crime from happening in the first place,” says LPS Detective Sergeant Katherine Dann, head of the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Section. “We know that young girls between the ages of 11-14 are most vulnerable in relation to human trafficking.  There are things that parents can watch for, and that kids themselves might not realize are warning signs. We created this campaign to educate and empower young girls, and to help raise awareness in the community.” 

The LPS #KnowHumanTrafficking campaign, created through a generous grant from the Ministry of the Attorney General Civil Remedies Program, aims to help young girls identify the signs that they or one of their friends is being groomed for trafficking purposes, and find help if they suspect someone is in danger. The campaign is also meant to help parents recognize and identify the signs to watch for in their children, and how to access supports if they have concerns. 

The campaign was released today on the London Police Service website and through LPS Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram social media channels. We encourage community members to share this campaign widely with friends and family. 

Our message - Human trafficking is real. Know the signs.  

*Note to media – Detective Sergeant Katherine Dann will be available for interviews today from 1:00pm – 2:30pm.

For media inquiries, contact: 

Cst. Sandasha Bough
Media Relations Officer
C. 519-854-8576
Email. Media Officer